[If anyone else were to say that, he'd call them an idiot for being so blasé about it. For not accepting the warning and turning their back on all this. But Ash doesn't exude that same naivety that a lot of others he talks to do. Seems to be more aware of the truth behind Bucky's words than most. He knows that he could be a threat. That his safety is at risk with the offer that's on the table. Yet he's still making the offer, and that's...

Refreshing.

The food, when it arrives, is given a look. But even without Ash's interruption, he doesn't make any attempt to reach for it. Not yet. Not when he already has a good idea of just how things could be ending up between them. He'd seen how Ash had respond to his earlier question about the seat. It stands to reason that asking for permission to eat would lead to a similar response. And a part of him wants to see that. To know that he's capable of making somebody happy through something as simple as saying a few words.]

I don't want to hurt anyone. [He never has. But the choice had been taken away from him, even before Hydra. Being drafted had taken care of that.]

You weren't trying to hurt me. Not really. From everything you've said though, I don't think you would. At least not vindictively.

[And that really is the crux of the matter. Is what differentiates it for him. The Soviets. Hydra. Everything they'd done to him had been meant to hurt. Had been pain caused to force him in to doing what they want. His memories had been erased, his ability to consent entirely lost to him. They'd taken everything from him and given nothing but pain in return.

Ash though-]

If I refused to do something you told me to, what would you do?